Category: Jesus Christ

The ministering of angels

Agony in the Garden by Frans Schwartz

I draw a lot of comfort from the doctrine of the ministering of angels. If you need some reminders that angels are all around us and helping us, here are just a few of my favorite scriptures on the topic:

2 Nephi 31:13-14

2 Nephi 32:2-3

Alma 32:23

3 Nephi 17:24

Moroni 7:29-30, 36-37

2 Kings 6:15-17

Luke 22:43

Angels serve as witnesses and guides to what is really important. “Look,” “Fear not,” and “Behold” are some of the simple words they use to redirect our attention to Christ. They are with us. They show themselves “to those of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness” (Moroni 7:29-30). We may not see angels, they but I believe they play a part in leading us to every holy and pure thing we can experience in this life.

Loved

Here is a list of kind things people did for us or gave to us this month when they knew we were stuck at home.

  • Prayers
  • Texts showing concern
  • Offers to shop for us
  • 100 Chick-fil-A nuggets, a salad, and wraps
  • Blueberry muffins
  • Heart shaped sugar cookies
  • A Door Dash delivery of cookies from a local bakery
  • Ice cream
  • Ice cream and root beer
  • Several bags of apples
  • 2 dozen eggs
  • Macarons in rainbow colors
  • A trip to the grocery store for basics
  • Soup and pie
  • People changed their plans.
  • People showed empathy.
  • Some people stayed on the porch to talk to us when they delivered things.
  • Emails: from friends and teachers, all very supportive
  • Phone calls
  • Mail
  • Someone took a responsibility off my list for church.
  • Our neighbor plowed our walks and driveway several times, and one of those times was at 5:30 am.
  • We had Door Dash money left over from a generous neighbor when I had surgery, so we could use the remainder to get something Richard craved.

I feel that these things are just what our Savior would do. People are good.

A Child’s Prayer

When I am weary and have no words of my own, I pray by singing in my mind. This is the song that eventually helped me go to sleep last night, soothing my mind, awake to many things. Dickins was so right about the best of times and the worst of times inhabiting the same sphere. I had a wonderful day with family, and feel God’s blessings, but feel abhorrence for current events.

Advent Day 24

And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold, I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

Moroni 7:40-41

Advent Day 23

The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Joel 3:16

I think this is the best new Christmas arrangement and performance this year:

Born is the King of Israel!

Advent Day 20

But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

Jacob 2:19

Advent Day 18

But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work.

Doctrine and Covenants 3:10

Sometimes the tempest that surrounds us is our own fault because our poor choices make us miserable. But God is merciful! We can repent. We are still chosen and can get back to work for the Lord. “Peace, be still,” is something the Savior has power to say to the winds and rain, and also to our broken hearts when we repent. I love this message of hope.

Janine Clarke on the piano, and Parker and Isabelle Paulsen, vocalists, summer 2019